So you want to know how long is crawfish good for after cooking? Well, it is important to know this if you really want to store it after cooking.
Crawdads, mudbugs, crawfish, and crayfish are all common names for the same freshwater crustaceans that many people enjoy eating throughout the summer.
Because they are both freshwater crustaceans, crawfish and red lobsters are often mistaken for one another.
Therefore, you may have to use different cooking techniques and store them differently too.
So, how long is cooked crawfish good for?
You should consume your crawfish within two hours of cooking, and if you want to store it for longer, you must refrigerate it.
How Long Is Crawfish Good For After Cooked?
Crawfish can be found in ponds and rice fields, although they are also occasionally caught in the wild.
Their flavor is similar to lobster’s, being very sweet and a little fatty in the flesh. The meat is tender because of its size, and it is concentrated in the tail.
Because of all the meat and fat, it is important to understand how to prepare and store crawfish after cooking.
Just like many other meat dishes, you should not leave your cooked crawfish at room temperature for longer than two hours.
Fact: Crawfish is a delicacy enjoyed by people all over the world, and Louisiana is the source of 90% of the world's supply.
How Is Cooked Crawfish Stored After Cooking?
To be considered well-cooked, crawfish must retain their shells and emit a lovely marine aroma.
It needs to be a vibrant red color. But it may also be eaten cold, so do not feel obligated to serve it hot.
Be sure to refrigerate it no more than two hours after it has been cooked if it has come immediately from a “live” condition.
Crawfish should be stored in the refrigerator in airtight containers as soon as possible after cooking.
How closely you follow storage guidelines will greatly impact how long your crawfish can stay in the refrigerator.
How Long Does Cooked Crawfish Last in the Fridge?
As mentioned, you have to be very careful when handling crawfish.
Do not leave it for longer than a couple of hours at room temperature and transfer it to the fridge as soon as you can.
Crawfish should be stored in the fridge after cooking and you should always use sealed containers for the task.
The shelf life of crawfish in the refrigerator is about 3–4 days. Just put it in the fridge within 2 hours of being cooked and it will be OK.
Do You Have to Freeze Leftover Boiled Crawfish?
If you have leftover crawfish, you can always eat it without having to worry about anything.
Crawfish that have been boiled should be stored in the refrigerator or freezer within two hours of being served, as they will spoil quickly after being exposed to air.
The crawfish can be boiled and stored in the freezer until you are ready to consume them.
Be careful not to overcook when reheating it, as doing so might alter the texture of the meat and make the crawfish difficult to peel.
How Do You Freeze Crawfish to Make It Last Longer?
Crawfish can be frozen either whole or with their tails removed and frozen separately.
But, most experts recommend freezing the tails only, as freezing the crawfish in their whole may cause subtle quality declines.
When freezing crawfish, how quickly you do it is more crucial than temperature.
Freezing crawfish as soon as possible after consumption or preparation is recommended to maintain food safety and texture.
How to Do It Correctly?
Seal the crawfish in airtight containers by placing them in plastic bags and removing all of the air.
Crawfish can be stored for a few months if the container is airtight, but keep in mind that when uncooked, you can keep it in the freezer for around two weeks.
Fact: Follow storage guidelines to avoid freezer burn, which can happen to uncooked crawfish and alters the texture and flavor of the seafood.
How Do You Reheat Cooked Crawfish When Stored in the Fridge?
Leftovers are common whether you enjoy a crawfish boil at home or a meal out.
When the crawfish boil is finished and you want to eat them again, here is our recommendation for the best way to reheat them.
Steam in a Basket
Even crawfish sitting in the fridge for a day can be given a new lease on life by steaming it.
To begin, assemble a steamer basket, a saucepan with a lid, a set of tongs, and any unused crawfish seasoning ingredients.
Note: Spices are not required to reintroduce flavor to steamed crawfish, but doing so is highly recommended.
How to Do It?
- Put the spices in the bottom of the pot first, then fill it with water.
- Now, the steamer basket should go into the pot.
- Make sure the water level does not go below the steamer’s base.
- Bring the water to a boil, carefully drop the crawfish into the basket, and cover the pot.
- After about five minutes of steaming, check to see if the crawfish are done.
- If not, keep steaming the “bugs” for a further 45 minutes.
Scoop the crawfish out of the pot using the tongs, and savor them while they are still hot.
Use the Microwave
Using your microwave will always be the quickest way to reheat any leftover crawfish you have tucked away in the freezer.
How to Do It?
- Put the crawfish in your microwave-safe dish and cover it with unsalted butter.
- Put the lid back on, but cut a hole in the center so the steam can escape.
- Now, cook the crawfish for a couple of minutes on high power in the microwave.
- Shake the container to evenly distribute the butter.
- Finally, continue heating in one-minute increments, stirring after each.
- Keep stirring, until they reach the desired temperature.
An Important Consideration
While microwaving works quickly, it may not always be the best option to bring out the best flavors from your stored crawfish.
It is likely to make your crawfish a bit dry.
Fact: Lingering seafood odors are annoying and common with microwaving, so be sure to microwave in smaller batches to avoid this issue.
Sauteing in a Skillet
Sautéing crawfish is an excellent way to reheat them, but you need to do it correctly.
Step #1: Prepare the Skillet
First, grease the skillet with olive oil. Coating the crawfish in flavored oil like this will help them retain their moisture and flavor.
Additionally, this will help maintain a consistent cooking temperature.
Step #2: Add the Crawfish
Place the skillet over the burner (medium heat) and wait until the oil shines across the surface.
Then add the crawfish to the skillet in layers and cook for about 4 minutes.
You can also try flavoring crawfish with some garlic or onion, or a heaping tablespoon of crab boil seasoning.
The crawfish’s original flavor will be preserved even after reheating.
Step #3: Cook Carefully
Reheat the crawfish by turning them over with a pair of tongs several times.
Finally, put a lid on the skillet and take it away from the heat.
Step #4: Let It Rest
It is best to leave the crawfish on the hot pan for 3 to 5 minutes. This will prevent the crawfish from drying out as they cook.
If you want to serve them quickly, you may want to use a pair of tongs to get them out of the skillet.
Fact: Sautéing crawfish after they have been boiled in dry white wine adds extra flavor and moisture.
Is It Okay to Reheat Frozen Crawfish by Boiling?
While most people love the flavor they get after sauteing the crawfish, you can always consider boiling them as well.
In fact, if you want to reheat cooked crawfish so that they preserve their juiciness, boiling is your best bet.
The only thing to bear in mind is that you should not cook them for too long, because their flavor will be lost.
Takeaway
When you are in love with crawfish, you should also learn how long is crawfish good for after cooked.
No matter how hard you try, there will be some leftover after your crawfish boil.
But, the good thing is that you can store it in the fridge to use after a while. It is also possible to freeze it for a short time.
Always remember that following proper storage guidelines is essential, and so is the process involved in reheating your crawfish.